If you find yourself in the position of getting sick frequently and you are looking for ways to better support your body, IV therapy is worth considering. It is important to explore whether an underlying nutrient deficiency is contributing to your frequent illness to find out if this treatment is right for you.
At Flow IV & Wellness, we base all of our treatments on the most recent science about what is effective and beneficial in IV therapy. We will go over how IV therapy can impact your immune function and what you can expect from your treatment. With a consultation, we can also help you decide whether IV therapy is the right solution.
Immune Support vs Immune “Boosting”
The immune system is a network of organs and cells that all work together to identify and get rid of harmful invaders like bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites that can harm the body. This network includes white blood cells, the lymphatic system, the thymus, the lining of the gut and the skin, among others. Your body has an innate immune system from birth, and it also gains immunity as it is exposed to different germs. This happens naturally and through vaccination.
The term “boosting” the immune system is a misnomer because, while you do not want a weak immune system, you also do not want one that is in overdrive. An overactive immune system creates problems like allergies and autoimmune diseases. What you want from your immune system is balance, which is why the concept of immune support is more helpful. Through good sleep, less stress and the right nutrition, you can give your body what it needs to fight off illness.
What the Immune System Needs to Function Properly
The immune system relies on different internal systems working together. Your body needs a steady production of immune cells from the bone marrow, and proper signaling between cytokines, the proteins that give the cells information about what to do in the body.
Mucosal barriers, which help protect you from pathogens in the airway and gut, need to be healthy to properly block germs from entering the bloodstream.
Your body also needs healthy mitochondria, which produce the energy that cells need to respond to threats. All of these depend on the proper amounts of vitamins and nutrients, and on other factors like sleep and hydration.
Prominent Nutrients Involved in Immune Function
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an important nutrient that cannot be made by the body. It supports both the innate branch of the immune system, which you are born with, and the adaptive, which develops with exposure to pathogens. This vitamin helps your body’s immune cells to find and attack bacteria and viruses, and it also supports the growth and function of immune cells. During illness, vitamin C levels are often lower because of increased inflammation and your body’s need for this important vitamin.
Vitamin D
Certain immune cells have receptors for vitamin D that can activate where it is needed. Vitamin D helps regulate the body’s immediate defenses against threats and longer-term immune responses that learn and adapt. When levels of these nutrients are low, the immune system can be less balanced, with a higher risk of both infections and autoimmune activity.
Zinc
We don’t know everything yet about how zinc helps with the immune system, but there is a clear connection between a balanced immune system and appropriate levels of zinc. Zinc supports the growth and development of immune cells and helps them respond to infections.
During an infection, white blood cells use zinc to create structures called “extracellular traps” that capture and break down microbes. When you are sick, your body transfers zinc from the blood into tissues, like the liver, to help signal immune cells and limit zinc availability to pathogens. However, sometimes this can cause a temporary deficiency in zinc that may need to be treated through supplementation.
Why More Vitamins Is Not Always the Answer
While it is clear that a deficiency in a particular vitamin does impact immunity, over-supplementation either in response to an illness or to prevent illness is not shown to be beneficial, and can even cause problems of its own. In healthy individuals with good nutrient levels, there is little evidence to support that IV vitamin therapy can boost immunity. It is important to screen patients for deficiencies or for conditions that impact absorption before recommending a particular IV therapy protocol to avoid oversupplementation.
IV Therapy vs Oral Supplements for Addressing Deficiencies
Oral supplements have to pass through the digestive system, where absorption can be limited by gut inflammation or enzyme imbalances. Sometimes, only a fraction of the needed ingredient makes it to the bloodstream, and this process can take time. With IV therapy, it goes right into the bloodstream, and the entire concentration is immediately available. Our mobile IV therapy brings this option to your home, so it is just as convenient as supplements while addressing your deficiency faster.
Times When IV Therapy Can Be Helpful
- During a Deficiency: Deficiencies can happen because of illness, lack of proper nutrition and conditions that cause absorption problems. Intravenous therapy quickly corrects imbalances to help your immune system stay balanced.
- During Illness: Acute illness often increases metabolic demand while reducing appetite and digestive efficiency. Hydration therapy can resupply everything your body needs to recover from infection.
- After a Stressful Season: Periods of physical or emotional stress can increase the demand on your body and also make it harder for you to get the nutrition you need. You can help your body recover faster by replenishing nutrients.
In-Office and Mobile IV Therapy in Naples, FL
Certain nutrient infusions delivered through IV therapy may support immune cell activity, inflammation control and recovery, particularly when there’s a deficiency or absorption issue. At Flow IV & Wellness in Naples, FL, we provide both in-clinic and mobile IV therapy using nutrients sourced from an FDA-regulated 503B compounding pharmacy. To learn more or request a consultation, call 239-450-8360 or schedule through our online form.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31403046
https://www.cedars-sinai.org/stories-and-insights/expert-advice/boosting-your-immune-system
